Klenisia
From Roleplay
Contents |
The History of Klenisia
Most of what is currently part of the Klenisian empire was originally claimed by Emperor Klennan I, the leader from which the land takes its name. Indeed the deeds of Klennan have become part of Klenisian culture to such an extent that even after 100 generations after his death, any would be ruler of a principality must still trace his blood back to the line of Klennan.
Klennan I – Klennan the Great
Klennan was born into power, being the son of the king of Mercitiania (the principalities now know as Orus-il). It was obvious even at a young age that Klennan was destined for greatness, he had a keen mind and a strong arm. There was more to the young prince than this however. Things seemed to occur around him that defied belief, bazaar coincidences. He entered his parents room one night just in time to wake his father as an assassin was entering via a window, during his teenage years he failed to turn up to a ceremony of state where the throne he would have been sitting in was crushed by a falling beam during a minor earthquake. These combined with more minor events led to a rumour that the young Klennan had the gift of Foresight. Klennan was thrust into power on his 17th birthday when his father was killed in a small battle on the northern border of Mercitiania. Though there were a few pretenders who tried to userp Klennan’s rightful ascension, they were quickly and ruthlessly dealt with. Indeed, Klennan demonstrated a ruthless streak some had doubted he had. Klennan quickly began to expand his lands, conquering nearby kingdoms seemingly with ease. Shortly before his 27th birthday he declared the inception Klenisian empire, and all bloodlines with claims to the Mercitianian throne null, save his own. Also to the dismay of his advisors (many of them relations) he began overlooking there counsil in favour of a loose nit group of men hand picked by Klennan seemingly without reason. Many came from small farming towns and had no noble background, others were not even Mercitainian. In time Klennans reasons were to become clear, the Seers as they were to soon to be known, also had the gift of foresight. Many rulers began ceding power to Klennan as fear of his, and his Seers, forsight became rife. This was backed on numerous occasions on the field of battle, where Klennans martial skill was fast becoming as feared as his foresight. Klennan was still in the process of empire building at the age of 46 when he was slain in battle, the victim of an unknown spearman. Klennans only son, also named Klennan was proclaimed emperor.
Klennan II – Klennan the builder
Klennan II ascension to the throne was smooth. While he displayed none of his fathers strange powers, he was still an imposing man, and more importantly he had the backing of the Hall of the seers. While he showed none of his fathers love for battle he was a masterful tradesmen, and through his negotiations with distant lands the empire became wealthy, second only to the mighty Brethnic empire. With this money Klennan enduldged his passion, architecture. He constructed palaces and castles across the empire, many were marvels in there own right, he traded for stone from distant shores in order to construct grander and grander structures. Perhaps his greatest achievements were the Emperors palace at Mormoreth, and the Great Hall of the High Seers, structures that would stand against even the buildings of Brethen. Klennan II had two sons, Aramall and Quallin, and a number of daughters. Upon Klennans death at age 59 his son Aramall assumed the throne.
Aramall I
While Aramall was the natural successor to Klennan II he was never strongly endorsed by the Seers so there were always slight doubts about his security on the throne. Indeed he did everything he could to undermine the Seers. Actions which often resulted in a weakening of his own authority rather than theirs. Aramall was murdered at age 40, while the assassin was never found, suspicion fell equally on his brother Quallin (with whom his relationship had always been tempestuous) or The Hall of Seers (or perhaps a collusion of the two). Having no sons of a worthy age to be emperor, the Seers declared that Quallins son, Klennan III could take the Throne.
Klennan III – Klennan the Terrible
While Klennan III inherited his great grandfathers build and love of battle, he also inherited his fathers wild temper. He was known for killing servants on the spot, dealing out vicious beatings, on occasion even to nobles, or, famously declaring war on a bordering kingdom when the ruler beat him at stones. Despite his madness, Klennan managed to expand the empire both north and south. This, worryingly brought the borders of Klenisia into contact with those of Brethen, a development which Klennan III forbearers had avoided. Indeed tensions steadily grew, and without the clever manuverings of the Hall of Seers and the young prince Sandar war would have been inevitable. Like his Great grandfather, Klennan III died in battle in his middle years, leaving Sandar (who had wisely allied himself with the seers from an early age) to assume the mantle of empire.
Sandar I
Sandar I took power at a difficult time, war was seeming increasingly likely with Brethen. Though a master diplomat, and closely advised by the Seers, it still took much of the early part of his reign to avert conflict on Klenisia’s northern border. Due to the length of time he spent away from Mormoreth his position slowly became weaker with the lords and nobels of Klenisia, and though still retaining the backing of the Seers, murmurs began that one of his 3 brothers was plotting against him. Shortly after his 16th year on the throne his wife and only child were murdered. Sandar fell into a fevered madness, suspecting one of his three brothers of the crime his revenge was swift and terrible. Sandar ordered the killing of all three of his brothers and there entire families. Sandar ruled for another 14 years before sucumbing to illness, leaving no heir. It was thought that the line of Klennan had been broken, but one of Sandar's nephews (Klennan son of Cesmar) had been secreted away be the hall.
Klennan IV, Klennan the Father or Klennan the Fertile
Klennan the IV ruled the empire with an iron fist, and under his firm leadership Klennisia again flourished. With the Seers taking care of the majority of theday to day running of the empire Klennan was free to raise a large family, which included 12 sons. In his later years Klennan would begin to worry about jealousy amoung his large liniage, and finally decided that there was only one way to avert the bloodletting and fratricide that was so prevelent amoung his ancestors. Klennan IV devided the empire up into principalities, each son would be the master of his own small region of Klennisia with the Emperor (and the hall) retaining ultimate authority.
This was the first step toward the fracturing of the empire into the 23 principalities in existance today.
Affectations of Power
There are two major affectations of power for any Prince, both, predictably tracing there roots to Kennan. Firstly there is the two-handed sword mimicking Klennans famous ceremonial blade the “Third Eye”, the swords carried in modern times are generally more practical and are used for combat, unlike the Eye. Indeed any Crown Prince hoping to elevate his social standing, and perhaps even claim the line of Klennan, must prove himself to be adept with the “weapon of emperors”. The second major affectation is a family tree, usually running too a hundred or so pages of detailed description charting the Princes bloodline back to that of Klennan. The Tome (as it most commonly is, though sometimes it takes the form of a tapestry) is generally displayed prominently, often in a welcome hall or throne room.
Among the lesser affectations (although not unimportant by any standards) is the “Silver Eye”. This small brooch, often worn on the left sleeve or centrally on the chest, is given by the Seers of Mormoreth to recognise the recipients claim to the blood of Klennan. While not all crown princes are given this honour, it is a strong snub to not be recognised.
